The Imperial Navy was the largest and most destructive military in the Star Wars Universe. At its peak, it was known to have over 25,000 Star Destroyers and over two billion personnel.
Imperial Star Destroyers have always been highly appraised by fans both in the movies and in the form of LEGO Star Wars sets. Since 1999, Star Destroyer sets have been relatively rare but all have become fan favorites. Therefore, our mission today is to compare them all and see which one is the best LEGO Star Destroyer.
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10030 Imperial Star Destroyer
Although the LEGO Star Wars UCS line officially began in 2007, we can easily include the 10030 Imperial Star Destroyer from 2002 in the UCS group of sets. Needless to say, it was the first set of this scale with 3104 pieces. Although it was released almost two decades ago, it has remained as one of the most loved Lego Star Wars sets out there.
The UCS Star Destroyer we will see in October will be a remake of this 2002 version. The details included in this monstrous ship are wonderful even after all these years. Few sets can give you that feeling of completeness, not even the majority of newer UCS models.
Overall, if you get your hands on this set, you will be a lucky man. There are no minifigures included but a LEGO set of this scale was intended for adults anyway, and is impressive enough on its own.
Year: 2002
Piece Count: 3104
Ages: 16+
Minifigures: None
Original Retail Price: $299
6211 Imperial Star Destroyer
While this set was remade and significantly improved in 2014, the original edition had some positive aspects that we will now discuss. The newer version had an excellent minifigure selection but this version from 2006 had a unique selection even for today’s standards.
Darth Vader is the most obvious minifigure to be included in every Star Destroyer set but this set also had Grand Moff Tarkin and two Royal Guards which continue to be relatively rare. In addition, there were a couple of interesting droids included.
There weren’t many playability features included but at the price point of $99.99, this was an incredibly worthy set.
Year: 2006
Piece Count: 1366
Ages: 9 – 14
Minifigures: Darth Vader, Grand Moff Tarkin, R2-Q5, Stormtrooper x2, Royal Guard x2, Imperial Officer, MSE-6 Droid
Original Retail Price: $99.99
8039 Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser
It is only natural that we include the Republic Attack Cruiser that the Empire used to construct their Star Destroyers. It is easy to notice the similarities between the two ships the main one being their similar structure. Star Destroyers, however, were significantly larger and with more destructive power.
This Venator set has always been a fan favorite. Even today, people search for a way to add it to their collection. The prices you will see today, however, are significantly higher.
The set itself does not include too many playability features. On the other hand, it does make a really beautiful display set and the minifigure selection is great. It is a great collection piece that is worth the extra cash.
Year: 2009
Piece Count: 1170
Ages: 9 – 14
Minifigures: Clone Gunner, Chancellor Palpatine, Senate Commando x2, Clone Pilot
Original Retail Price: $119.99
8099 Midi-Scale Imperial Star Destroyer
Midi-Scale sets have always been widely unappreciated by fans. They are small, they have no minifigures included, and they come at a very high price point for a set so small.
However, once you get your hands on one of these, you realize that they have a lot more potential. Not everyone can afford the massive UCS sets or even the regular large sets from the seasonal lines. Midi-Scale sets allowed fans to have their favorite ships in a smaller scale but with a lot of details.
Overall, the Midi-Scale Imperial Star Destroyer has a great design and is a great display set. In terms of playability, you should not expect anything. Honestly, the creators could have thrown a minifigure in the set just to justify the price and also satisfy the collectors.
Year: 2010
Piece Count: 423
Ages: 9 – 14
Minifigures: None
Original Retail Price: $39.99
10221 Super Star Destroyer
Following the impressive Imperial Star Destroyer from 2011, we have another exceptional UCS set known for its size and details – 10221 Super Star Destroyer.
This set came out in 2011 and quickly became a hit in the LEGO Star Wars community. Unlike many other UCS models, this one has an incredible minifigure selection. Overall, this is a LEGO set that stands out in basically every possible category. It is extremely large standing at 4 feet in length, it has a unique shape, and the details on the upper section are unique.
Needless to say, this is one of those LEGO sets that will attract the attention of even the most uninterested person.
Year: 2011
Piece Count: 3152
Ages: 16+
Minifigures: Darth Vader, Admiral Firmus Piett, Bossk, Dengar, IG-88
Original Retail Price: $399
75055 Imperial Star Destroyer
This is the newer edition that I mentioned earlier and we will now discuss why it is altogether a better version. To begin with, this newer model is smaller than the original one while also placed at a significantly higher price point.
However, it has a lot more features both inside and outside and is overall a far sturdier build. Compared to the older version, it does not feel like it can break while you carry it around. Unfortunately, the small size doesn’t really fit this set. Honestly, knowing the real size of this ship in the movies, something so small does not feel right.
The minifigures selection is excellent as I already mentioned. It does, however, lack the diversity that we saw in the original edition. After all, it had Grand Moff Tarkin and two Royal Guards. Honestly, for this higher price point, we should have seen at least one or two more minifigures as seven simply feels too few.
Year: 2014
Piece Count: 1359
Ages: 9 – 14
Minifigures: Darth Vader, Stormtrooper x2, Mouse Droid, Palpatine (Hologram), Imperial Navy Trooper, Imperial Crew, Imperial Officer
Original Retail Price: $129.99
75190 First Order Star Destroyer
The First Order is the successor state of the Galactic Empire, therefore, it is fair to add the most recent Star Destroyer set from 2017. As you most likely already know from the new Trilogy, the First Order Star Destroyers are very different from the ones we knew in the Imperial Navy.
Overall, this set has an incredible build and a variety of playability features. The minifigures are quite straightforward and the only interesting one has to be Supreme Leader Snoke. Otherwise, you get a variety of First Order soldiers which you can add to your collection of minifigures.
Still, these figures are all available in smaller and cheaper sets, including battle packs. Maybe the creators should have included something more exclusive instead.
Year: 2017
Piece Count: 1416
Ages: 7 – 12
Minifigures: Supreme Leader Snoke, BB-9E, First Order Shuttle Pilot, First Order Officer, First Order Stormtrooper, First Order Stormtrooper Sergeant
Original Retail Price: $159.99
75252 Ultimate Collector Series Imperial Star Destroyer
In 2019 LEGO released the all new UCS Imperial Star Destroyer which eclipsed the original Ultimate Collector Series Star Destroyer in every way. Improved detail, better building techniques and over all screen accuracy are are just some of the areas where the 17 year gap between models shines through.
There is a huge difference in price too with the new model costing an extra 400 dollars. Of course inflation has much to do with that along with extra quality. This UCS Star Destroyer is no doubt an amazing display piece which would instantly be a talking point of any display. Similar to the original, the set also includes a mini Tantive IV build to recreate the opening scene of Star Wars: A New Hope.
Unlike the original, this Star Destroyer includes two minifigures. A Junior Imperial Officer and Imperial Crew Member. Not the greatest selection of minifigures but this is a UCS set and they often do not.
Year: 2019
Piece Count: 4784
Ages: 16+
Minifigures: Imperial Officer (Junior), Imperial Crew Member
Original Retail Price: $699 / £649
Final Thoughts
Now that you have seen all Star Destroyers that LEGO has released, which one is your favorite? Are you a fan of the regular Star Destroyer or do you prefer the new First Order version?